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Shuichi Saihara, the ultimate detective. Logical, observative, but a bit of a coward. A nice guy overall who'd somehow won over the friendship of the majority of his classmates.
Kokichi Ouma, the ultimate supreme leader. Cocky, obnoxious, all of their words laced with deceit. They weren't restrained by normal views on what was right and what was wrong.... to put it kindly. They had some friends, Gonta, Angie, hell, even Miu if you really squint. But despite that, they were still unpopular. Far from unheard of, don't misunderstand, they were very insistent on getting their presence out there. More infamous than anything. The general view on them was that they were, well, an asshole.
The two had spent most of their teenage years in the same school. The big Hopes Peak academy, home to hundreds of 'ultimate' students. So, quite the achievement, and a smart thing to bring up at a family gathering if you really want the attention on you.
Although the two began their years of scholarship as strangers, it didn't take long for an urge for interaction to start bubbling. Shuichi, ever since he met Kokichi, had always been curious towards their erratic behaviour. In true detective manner, he'd subconsciously grown closer to the other in his pursuit to find out just who they were, and what went through their mind to produce, well, their masses of personality. Though, Kokichi was secretive in nature, and their secrets weren't something they'd just let go on a whim. They couldn't deny, being pursued by the ultimate detective himself was quite the opportunity, and Kokichi wasn't planning on just abandoning that. What fun was life without a bit of risk, huh?
Eventually, this curiosity developed into a cat an mouse game, Shuichi's insistence on solving Kokichi, and Kokichi's want for entertainment never faltering. However, they knew Shuichi was no idiot, and that they themself were bound to slip up once or twice. As a result, the detective had figured out more than Kokichi had initially anticipated he would, and that familiarity slowly but surely spiralled into friendship. A friendship, nothing more. Just friendly friends....
...
It was obvious that wouldn't last long. Kokichi, although far from the romantic type, couldn't help but find themself charmed by the detective's surprised expression when the leader revealed something about themself, or the other's exasperation towards their teases. Look, in their defence, it was cute. And, as much as Kokichi fought to deny it, they found the other's advances and the effort he put into uncovering them endearing. Simply put, they were a lovesick idiot. Bleh. Romance wasn't their forte.
The next few months were a struggle for Kokichi, wishing to continue the fun games and chases between the two without the stupid sappy awful feelings that wouldn't leave Kokichi alone.
Eventually, Kokichi couldn't take it any longer. They still wanted that fun, silly dynamic, but it was hard to enjoy it when their heart was beating like they just downed two cups of coffee in 30 seconds flat, which they'd never do by the way, coffee was euchk. And it'd endanger their health or whatever. Point is, they were a sad loser who got heart palpations every time that fucking adorable boy smiled, or did so much as brush their hand.
Having somehow gained the guts to actually confess, they professed their love, having not even prepared their word beforehand. That was so unlike them it made them cringe on the memory. 'Note to self, feelings are weird and gross and...' not as awful as they made them out to be. Shuichi, to the surprise of not just Kokichi but practically the whole of hopes peak, had accepted his confession. What the fuck was wrong with him. Idiot!!
...
Well, Kokichi wasn't complaining. It was..... strange, and new, but they found themself settling into this relationship thing pretty easy, finding comfort in the other's embrace, in his care, in his adorable curiosity, the way he'd fiddle with his hands when there was nothing else to touch, the way his touch was always soft at first, allowing Kokichi to move if they wanted, and the way that soft touch relaxed into something more close once he knew the leader wanted it. God, he was so head over heels it was stupid. Stupid Ouma, for indulging in such stupid, sappy, heart-throbbing feelings. Stupid Ouma, for letting himself... fall for someone as kind and reliable and.... lovable as Shuichi.
Opposites attract, huh? And to seperate Kokichi and Shuichi was like trying to tear two magnets from each other. They'd made their mind, and neither had any intention to go back on that. Like two pieces in a- no, no that was stupid, lovely-dovey bullshit only heart-eyed fools referenced... but, it wasn't wrong. They complimented eachother in ways that Kokichi thought was reserved for fiction. And maybe, that was just what Ouma needed, what both of them needed.
Not one person expected their love to last past school. And yet, against all odds, it'd gone beyond that. Once they moved out of their dorms, they decided it'd be best to move in together... Which, Kokichi couldn't deny, it was intimidating, but it had more pros than it did cons. They could watch their love wake up in the morning, all groggy and incoherent. They could cling to him as he cooked, only making it more difficult to actually be productive, but in their opinion the affection was a more immediate need. They could fall into slumber with arms around them, a comfortable hold, one they'd grown used to.
They could settle down on the bed, and discuss what movie to watch. Kokichi could suggest something risqué, for fun, and smirk as they watched the other's face fluster. They could move closer to the other, the movie ignored. They could meet the other's gaze with a knowing experession, and lower themselves down, closer still. They could gently kiss the other, a small whisper exchanged to confirm they weren't exceeding his comfort zone. They could feel the heat radiating from Shuichi, and feel that across their whole body. They could deepen the affection, wanting more, more still. They could move lower, unsatisfieed by just the other's lips, exploring the other's soft flesh... they could still desire something closer.
---
Shuichi didn't know how to feel. He'd been told this was something he was supposed to want. Everyone did. For all the excited talk about it he'd heard - all the barely hidden desires, all the glorification of intimacy - he didn't feel good at all. He loved his partner, of course, that was something he'd never doubted, and so it made no sense why he felt so uncomfortable. He'd forced it down, down further, hoping that something would flick in his brain and he'd find himself enjoying it, find himself excited, find himself sharing that urge so many people seemingly agreed was human.
As the other gently attacked his neck with kisses and bites, he couldn't help but be overwhelmed with a strong feeling of guilt. He knew the other had been anticipating this. They were the one that'd suggested a, erm, mature movie, and they were the one who'd initiated this, with unmistakable desire in their eyes. He wanted to enjoy this, he really did, but he felt suffocated. It was too much, too fast, too.... overwhelming. It was nauseating.
"Ko, love. " Shuichi spoke weakly, tapping the other's shoulder to grab their attention. God, he already felt horrible. The other, so intent, so passionate... he loved that about him, and yet now it felt so pressuring.
Kokichi retracted their head from the other's skin, looking up at him with confusion, their cheeks coloured with fluster. Their eyes were slightly closed, a mix of dedication and playfulness in their depths.... Kokichi was ever the oxymoron, huh? His gaze was... so beautiful, and yet so intimidating.
"Huh, giving up a-" Kokichi's words were immediately cut off the moment they registered the other's expression.
"... What's wrong. I'm not letting you keep secrets here, ya know. That's my job." They spoke up, their voice stern, but still with that soft tone reserved for himself. Although not moving off the other, they sat upright, allowing Shuichi room to move.
"it's.... It's nothing, I... can we take this, uhm, a bit slower? I.. I can't keep up, I'm sorry." Shuichi requested, a hint of guilt residing in his tone that he couldn't shake off. He felt like such an ass.
"Slower? Are we talking, snail race slower or, just, like, take it down a notch slower? Be specific," Kokichi questioned, not letting the other go being so vague.
"I.... uh, I just. I don't know, I don't think I'm ready. I think that's it". The detective muttured, insecurity seeping into every word. He was so afraid of taking away what the other wanted, so afraid of ruining the moment, but he simply felt like he was bound to vomit else.
"Saihara, you idiot." They spoke blankly.
"If you get uncomfortable, you tell me immediately. I'm not going to let you hide things. That's for me to do when you're trying to find your toothbrush." Kokichi joked, though both irritation towards the other for dishonesty and understanding towards the other's discomfort was present in their voice. They moved off the other, still covered by the blanket.
"I know, I know, I meant to." Shuichi fretted, embarrassment painting his face as he was scolded by his partner.
A moment's silence was shared between them, a silent acknowledgement to not try this again any time soon.
"I.... I'm so sorry" Shuichi suddenly blurted out, overwhelmed with guilt upon noticing the very slight dissapointment expressed by Kokichi.
"Sorry, for what. Not wanting things to get too heated? Yeah, and I'm sorry for not wanting cucumber in my salad, thanks"
...
"... Okay, that was a dumb comparison, but you get my point. You're not doing anything bad by not being ready. You can't change that, and I'm not asking you to. I'll wait as long as you need till you're ready." Kokichi sighed, placing a hesitant hand on the other's, that being their only contact now they were side by side.
" I.... But what I'm never ready? What if.... What if I never come round?" Shuichi questioned, hesitation in his voice.
" I said as long as you need, right? And if as long as you need is forever, then so be it." they shrugged, strangely nonchalant.
" You're... not upset? Ouma, dear, I'm telling you I... I don't think I'll ever be ready for intimacy. That doesn't bother you, even a bit?" Shuichi pushed, offput by the other's lack of reaction. He wanted Kokichi to seriously consider this.
"Shu, Shumai, my beloved idiot, of course I'll be a bit upset. I mean, I enjoy being intimate. But I'd never be upset at you because you're not the same. Don't people say it'd be boring if everyone thought the same way about things? Or something like that. Regardless, I care for you and I don't want you forcing yourself into things because you think it'd please me or whatever. You need to put your needs before mine, sometimes being selfish is good.. And besides, you can get me excited in other ways too"
They ended with a teasing note.
"Thats-"
"Get your mind out the gutter, you dumbass. I don't mean anything necessarily sexual. Just, there's other experiences that can have the same closeness that isn't going at it. Besides, there's way better things to do than each other."
They lightly teased, reveling in the way Shuichi's face almost instantly heated up.
" I..... okay, I guess you're right. It's.... You were enjoying it so much and I didn't want to take that away from you... So I guess that's why I was hesitant on asking you to stop" Saihara explained, realising arguing was pointless.
"I get it, but next time you're going to tell, mmmmmkay? If you aren't enjoying then it won't be something I'd ever enjoy either. I'd never want an experience where you're uncomfortable. Now stop bringing it up because you're making me sound all mushy." they groaned exaggeratedly, before immediately scrapping that and returning to their usual relaxed demeanour.
"Ah.... Ouma?"
"Mhm?"
"I... just wanted to say I love you. And-"
"You're such a fucking sap... I love you too."
...
" Aaaaanyways" Kokichi announced, changing the topic.
"This movie is really shitty, seriously. Past Ouma has no taste.... what was that one weirdo show you liked, the one with the forens-"
"Dexter." he answered a bit too quickly, growing slighty flustered.
" I-I mean, it'd be nice if you'd be up to watch it, I mean." he quickly followed up.
"pfft- you're fine, really. Just, calm it. Let's watch."
"mh... let's watch." He repeated, his head falling onto the other's shoulder.